Abundant Practice Podcast - Episode #672: 5 Steps To A Thriving Group Practice, feat. Nicole McCann

Host: Allison Puryear
Guest: Nicole McCann
Release Date: July 30, 2025

Introduction

In Episode #672 of the Abundant Practice Podcast, host Allison Puryear welcomes Nicole McCann, a seasoned expert in scaling therapeutic practices. The episode delves into Nicole's five-step model for transforming solo practices into thriving group practices, ensuring increased income, reduced working hours, and enhanced operational efficiency. This comprehensive discussion offers invaluable insights for therapists aspiring to expand their private practices without compromising their work-life balance.

Nicole McCann’s Journey to Group Practice

[02:32] Nicole McCann:
Nicole begins by sharing her personal journey from a solo practitioner to leading a group practice of 55 therapists. After 15 fulfilling years in solo practice, she encountered burnout and income stagnation. The pivotal moment came in 2026 when she became pregnant with twins, prompting her to seek a more sustainable and flexible practice model.

Key Insight:
Nicole emphasizes the importance of systemization in scaling a practice, ensuring that growth doesn't come at the expense of personal well-being or client satisfaction.

Step 1: Systemize Your Operations

[04:53] Nicole McCann:
The foundation of a successful group practice lies in systemizing operations. Nicole advises therapists to meticulously document every aspect of their practice—from client intake procedures to billing policies. This ensures consistency and efficiency, reducing the burden on the solo practitioner.

Notable Quote:
"Writing everything down, putting it in a Google Drive, and ensuring that someone else can follow the procedures without needing to ask you how to do something is crucial." – Nicole McCann [06:21]

Actionable Tip:
Begin by creating comprehensive manuals for all operational tasks to streamline workflows and facilitate smooth onboarding of new team members.

Step 2: Hire an Admin

[06:26] Nicole McCann:
Nicole highlights the necessity of hiring administrative support to manage the increasing workload. Contrary to popular belief, a full-time admin isn't immediately required. Starting with a part-time admin or a virtual assistant (VA) can effectively alleviate administrative burdens.

Notable Quote:
"People in my business coaching program grow twice as fast when they have an admin. It’s amazing because they’re offloading the overwhelm and the minutia." – Nicole McCann [06:56]

Actionable Tip:
Begin with a part-time admin or a VA to handle routine tasks, allowing you to focus on clinical work and strategic growth.

Step 3: Attract Clients with Digital Marketing

[08:24] Nicole McCann:
Attracting clients efficiently is essential for a thriving group practice. Nicole advocates for the use of Google Ads as a powerful tool to bring in clients continuously, even during non-working hours.

Notable Quote:
"If your website doesn’t convert, you have a leaky bucket and you’re wasting your money." – Nicole McCann [10:01]

Actionable Tip:
Invest in a high-converting website and collaborate with experienced digital marketers to optimize your online presence and attract ideal clients.

Step 4: Convert Clients with Consult Calls

[11:08] Nicole McCann:
Once clients are attracted to your practice, the next step is effective conversion through consult calls. Nicole recommends offering a free, bookable 20-minute consult call to engage potential clients and pre-book initial sessions.

Notable Quote:
"Having consult calls bookable online is key because then people can book when you’re sleeping." – Nicole McCann [12:25]

Actionable Tip:
Implement an online booking system for consult calls, ensuring flexibility for clients to schedule at their convenience, thereby increasing show rates and client conversion.

Step 5: Retain Clients with Follow-ups

[13:01] Nicole McCann:
Retention is often overlooked but is crucial for sustained success. Nicole stresses the importance of follow-up communications to retain clients who may have canceled or not yet committed fully.

Notable Quote:
"Retaining clients with follow-ups can increase your bookings by 20% because some of them just got busy or needed a little nudge." – Nicole McCann [13:48]

Actionable Tip:
Assign follow-up tasks to your admin to reach out to potential clients, ensuring no opportunity for engagement is missed.

Common Challenges and Solutions

Hiring the Right People

[15:00] Nicole McCann:
One of the significant hurdles in scaling a practice is hiring the right team members. Nicole shares her six-step hiring model, emphasizing the importance of personality over experience. She advises hiring individuals who resonate with your practice's values and can build rapport with clients effectively.

Notable Quote:
"Personality is stable and cannot be easily taught, whereas experience and skills can be gained." – Nicole McCann [23:40]

Actionable Tip:
Focus on personality traits such as conscientiousness and emotional intelligence during the hiring process to ensure team members align with your practice’s ethos.

Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

[19:08] Nicole McCann:
Mindset plays a crucial role in scaling a practice. Nicole addresses imposter syndrome, encouraging therapists to embrace leadership roles with confidence and compassion.

Notable Quote:
"Reminding therapists that we are compassionate people and that being a compassionate leader fosters a sense of belonging is vital." – Nicole McCann [19:58]

Actionable Tip:
Cultivate a positive mindset and seek mentorship or coaching to build confidence in your leadership abilities.

Leadership and Management in a Group Practice

[20:09] Nicole McCann:
As the practice grows, establishing a clear leadership structure is essential. Nicole outlines how she transitioned from being the sole decision-maker to delegating responsibilities to clinic managers and operations leaders.

Notable Quote:
"Eventually, you want your practice to start running without you having to oversee every detail, allowing you to steer the ship rather than row it." – Nicole McCann [21:31]

Actionable Tip:
Develop a hierarchical structure with defined roles, such as clinic managers and operations personnel, to ensure smooth functioning and scalability.

Conclusion and Final Insights

Nicole McCann’s expertise provides a roadmap for therapists aspiring to build a successful group practice. By systemizing operations, hiring strategically, leveraging digital marketing, optimizing client conversions, and focusing on retention, therapists can achieve significant growth while maintaining a balanced personal life.

Final Notable Quote:
"If you care about people and want to create a culture of growth and belonging, you will excel as a leader." – Nicole McCann [19:58]

Resources Mentioned:

• Nicole McCann’s Podcast: The Business Savvy Therapist
• Live Trainings: Weekly masterclasses on building a seven-figure group practice

Connect with Nicole McCann:

• Podcast: The Business Savvy Therapist
• Live Trainings: Nicole’s Live Trainings (Replace with actual link if available)

Additional Resources:

• Free Private Practice Checklist and Worksheets: Abundance Practice Building
• Membership Program: Abundance Party

Call to Action:
If you’re ready to elevate your practice, consider implementing Nicole’s five-step model. For further support, visit abundancepracticebuilding.com or email the team at help@abundancepracticebuilding.com.

Enjoyed this episode?
Share it with a fellow therapist and join the community striving to build joyful, sustainable private practices.